Xcel Energy review: Paid meter reading services

Xcel currently charges me a monthly fee to send technicians to read my meter. Xcel has made insufficient or no efforts to read my meter in spite of that.

Xcel did not send employees or contractors to read the meter 1 of those months. They did not provide notice that an employee or contractor would come at any time. A bill was still issued reflecting their assumptions about use.

Xcel provided insufficient notice on 2 other months. They have left a voicemail simply stating that their contractors may arrive "within the next few days." They did not provide a specific day. They did not provide a time window. The contractors arrived without providing same-day warning. They left after a few seconds. Xcel did not offer the option to schedule nor reschedule. Xcel did not provide any back-up system at all to ensure the service was rendered.

As a result, Xcel has been charging me for services without regard to actual use for the last 3 months. I am not certain of how Xcel arrived at the sum it collected. Xcel has not communicated any intention to correct readings and charges retroactively to reflect actual use. Xcel has not communicated next steps or remediation options. Xcel hasn't even attempted to reschedule a revisit.

When I contacted customer service, they merely cited the fact that their records show a call was made. They made no effort to correct any one of the issues cited.